How do I… apply for a Trust Deed?
For people living in Scotland they have other debt solutions available to them to help when they are in financial difficulty. A Trust Deed is one of these solutions and allows you to pay your creditors back at an affordable…
How do I… get out of debt and stay out of debt?
Getting into debt can be easy, one thing leads to another or something unexpected occurs and things spiral out of control. Before you know it, you are no longer able to afford all of your creditor commitments. Getting out of…
What should I do about my council tax arrears?
In recent years at Payplan we have seen a rise in the number of clients coming to us owing council tax arrears. This is often due to a number of factors, including a drop in income or an unforeseen increase…
A day in the life of… a Client Liaison Officer
I work in the client support department dealing with Debt Management Plans (DMP). My role is to make sure our clients' income and expenditure details are up to date and sustainable and to look for any opportunities to save money…
Can I go on holiday once in a Debt Management plan?
Being in debt and in a plan such as a Debt Management Plan (DMP) or an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) can mean that many will have to change the way in which they spend and make cut backs.
What do I do if I received an Attachment of Earnings?
The true cost of owning a pet
By Rebecca Sowter Croll When you first set eyes on that cute ball of fluff or multi-coloured reptile, long term cost may not be the first thing on your mind. It definitely was not the first thing I thought about…
How do I manage my student debts?
In 2011 universities got the go ahead to increase tuition fees to a maximum of £9,000 per academic year. This provoked widespread anger amongst many, especially as Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats promised to phase out tuition fees altogether.…
How do I…fill out court forms for a County Court Judgement?
When you receive notification that a creditor is pursuing legal action against you it can be a stressful time. There is a short response period and it is important that all of the paperwork is filled out correctly.
Planning a wedding on a budget.
After recently getting married I know too well that weddings can cost a fortune and the budget can soon spiral out of control. You only have to look in some bridal magazines to see they average the cost of a…
What is a Logbook Loan?
Log book loans are a growing trend, with the number of people taking them out increasing by 40% between 2006 and 2009**. With more of these types of loans appearing it is important to understand exactly what they are. Log…
The Real Cost of Driving
There is no hiding from the fact that the cost of driving is going up. From fuel to insurance to on-going maintenance - driving a car costs us hundreds of pounds each year.
Dealing With Debt and Divorce
Understanding credit reports and how they are affected by DMPs
By James Jones from Experian Credit checking is a mystery to some, so how does it work? Basically, lenders obtain your consent to share and access information about your credit agreements through credit reference agencies like Experian. We combine these…
How do I… budget?
Whether in debt or not, we should all learn to budget. For some of us budgeting will come naturally, but for others it can be more difficult. Therefore we have put together a guide to show you how to prepare…
Disabled people and debt
"We are struggling financially and finding it very hard to cope. I am at my wits end [trying] to find a way out of the debts." This quote from a disabled mother of a disabled child will resonate with many…
Right to Offset
One of the most important things to do when you are in debt is to change your bank account. If you owe money to the same bank that your wages or other income is paid into then they are entitled…
5 ways to make money from your home.
The cost of living is going up - sometimes it seems by the second - which means that some people are struggling to cope. Not surprisingly, many people are turning to new and inventive ways to increase their income.
How do I… apply for a DMP?
A Debt Management Plan, or DMP, is a solution to help people who are struggling with their creditor repayments. A DMP allows you to make one single monthly payment to your creditors.